Ward Hadaway helps search for new tech stars
22nd July, 2016
LAW firm Ward Hadaway is playing its part in the search for talented new technology companies across the North.
The Top 100 UK law firm, which has offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, has signed up as the exclusive legal partner for Northern Stars 2016.
Organised and promoted by regional technology industry organisation Tech North, the competition aims to discover the most promising early stage technology companies across the North of England.
This is done through a series of regional pitch events, culminating in a Grand Final where 10 winning companies are chosen by a panel of high-profile judges.
Ward Hadaway, which has a long track record of advising businesses in the technology sector from early stage and start-up companies to multinationals, has signed up as legal partner for the competition which will see the firm helping to judge the entries and offering the winning companies a free legal audit as part of their prize-winning package.
Matt Cormack
Matt Cormack (pictured), Associate in the Commercial team at Ward Hadaway, said: “It is terrific to be involved in Northern Stars and to be able to see at first hand the tremendous work being done in the technology sector by early stage companies right across the North of England. This initiative led by Tech North really helps to highlight the strength of the sector across the North.
“Technology businesses have the potential to achieve fast growth, which makes it important for those in the sector to get the legal foundations right from the outset, whether in respect of raising finance, contracting with customers, using data or employing staff.
“At Ward Hadaway, we help companies at every stage of their development with practical, commercially focused advice that aims to help them get on with building their businesses.
“We are also very well known for our involvement with the technology sector in the North of England and across the UK so Northern Stars 2016 is an ideal initiative for us to be involved with.
“We are really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries and we can’t wait to see what the competition has in store.”
Tech North Director Richard Gregory said: “We are delighted to have Ward Hadaway on board as a sponsor for Northern Stars 2016.
“We know how important it is for companies to get solid legal foundations in place for their businesses right from the start so it is great to have a firm with their expertise in the sector involved in the competition.
“Ward Hadaway’s experience and reputation in the sector make them the ideal partner for Tech North and the businesses we support.”
To be eligible for Northern Stars 2016, you have to be a digital tech start-up based in the North of England, have raised less than £2m investment and have a live product in the market. You should also be ready to develop and present a three-minute pitch to a live audience and judging panel.
As well as the free legal audit from Ward Hadaway, the 10 winners of the competition will each receive a package of events and opportunities designed to raise their profile and build their networks, including places at high-profile industry events TechCrunch Disrupt in London, Investor pitch at Bloomberg, The Next Web conference in Amsterdam, the Northern Tech Awards and the offer of a subsidised trip to SxSW in Texas.
For more details and to apply for the competition, please click here.
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